New StreetWise Blog:
Staking out 74th St. station in Jackson Heights

BY CATHERINE THOMPSON

Thursday, July 2, 2009 3:33 PM EDT

A recent Straphangers Campaign “Subway Schmutz” survey rated the cleanliness all of 22 subway lines throughout the city, and Jackson Heights’ 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue subway station is home to both the cleanest and dirtiest subway lines in the system.

The survey rated the No. 7 train the cleanest and the R train the dirtiest, and a recent afternoon of talking to passengers at the subway stop revealed some interesting information about how readers view the subways.

When talking about the subway cars, Philla Summerville, a physician assistant said, “[Some] people’s hygiene is bad, it stinks.”

Esther Kim, from Rego Park said “[Poor] hygiene and it smells like garbage, taking the E train, homeless people sleep there so it smells.”

Robert and Betty Jean- Baptiste, preachers within the area, said they notice many tourists getting lost inside the subway station.

“The signs can be a little more for direction, people are lost, they don’t know which way to go,” they said.

In addition to cleanliness, some straphangers spouted off about the increase in price for MetroCards – with the cost of a single ride cared increasing from $2 to $2.25 and a month card up from $81 to $88.

Fahmida Yeasin from Elmhurst is concerned about the situation. She said, “Now I have to pay more, waste more money, it maybe 25 cents, but it adds up now 20 dollars a week.”

Speaking with a constant MTA user, Carlos Rodriguez from Richmond Hill said “Economically I understand why fares went up, but they haven’t changed anything in service so it’s a little unnecessary.”

Within the train station, Carlos’ friend, from Jacksonville Fl, felt otherwise.

“I like public transportation, saves money, taking this type of transportation here, is much faster compared to Florida.” said Nadine Gutierrez.

Walking further into the subway station, a group of subway riders gathered around a music store where the late Michael Jackson music videos were displayed on a 42-inch television.

“I love it, it’s real, I grew up with Michael” said Alexia Standard.